Went to a meeting today in Besiktas.
Was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I am glad that my friend Sarah got to come with me because at least I was going into this knowing one person. Huma introduced me to this facebook group that was starting called Foreign Girls in Istanbul. It is what it is... a bunch of just girls meeting to have a drink, gossip, and talk about life as a foreigner in Istanbul. It was really nice to take a break and be introduced to so many different girls. To stay out and see the change of the city from mid afternoon to night was really interesting. We went to a restaurant called Beer Port which is right on the Bosphorus. As it grew late the waters were lite up with the passing ferries and cargo boats traveling back and forth from the Asian to European side and visa versa. There were about 15 girls but more showed up as the evening progressed. Some where from Hungry, Czech Rep, Russia, USA, Denmark, Iran and they were all in a similar position as me. They were here either because of work, travel, or a boyfriend.
They were cheerful, exciting, and so inviting that it was impossible to not laugh and joke about some of the silly customs, or different ways of living that we as foreigners run into. Some of the things like how the restaurant did not serve any cold drinks other then water in the winter time which is very common. I didn't know that till the meeting. I also didn't notice till the meeting that there are very rarely waitresses, only waiters while in the USA its the opposite. We talked about how difficult it is to keep the creepy men away that think you might be interested in talking to them. One girl was Turkish but she had been living in London for the past 15 years or so, she told us that you HAVE to be rude to these men because Turkish women would be rude to them. I think I will try that next time... maybe.
I made some new friends and will definitely have a coffee date the next time that I want to relax! I even went out with Huma t Istinye Park mall to meet a girl (who was also at the meeting but I didn't get a chance to chat with her much) named Catherine. She is from the USA, Boston I believe and she might be interested in an Au-pair position so we chatted it up at Starbucks and her and I even have made plans for another girls date since her BF is out of town on business at the moment.
Hurry for new friends but I still miss my girls at home! and my wonderful boyfriend!! The group meets once a month and I cant wait for the next meeting!
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